California Cracks Down on Housing Price Gouging

In the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, local prosecutors, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, are intensifying efforts to combat price gouging, particularly in the housing market. Reports indicate significant rent increases, with some properties seeing hikes of over 100%, violating California's anti-price gouging laws that cap increases at 10% during declared emergencies. The California Apartment Association has urged strict enforcement of these laws, highlighting the unethical practices of a few landlords that exploit vulnerable families. Bonta's office has launched a disaster relief task force to investigate over ten active cases related to rent gouging and has set up a hotline for the public to report violations. Tenant rights advocates are also collecting evidence of suspected gouging, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability in this crisis. Local leaders and organizations are calling for harsh penalties against offenders to protect affected residents during this challenging time.